Mary Louise Murphy's Obituary
Mary Murphy, age 81 of Centerville, Iowa passed away Thursday, March 14, 2013 at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa.
She was born February 21, 1932 in Atlantic, Iowa, the daughter of Alvah and Bernice (Weinrich) Graham. She graduated from Atlantic High School. Mary married Joe Murphy on September 24, 1949 in Hiawatha, Kansas.
Joe and Mary settled on a farm just north of Adair, Iowa. In 1958, they moved to Atlantic, Iowa. After residing in Atlantic for two years, Joe became employed with the State of Iowa Department of Natural Resources working in state parks. Due to his career, Joe and Mary moved numerous times throughout Iowa, including Pammel State Park, Winterset; Lake Darling, Brighton; Lake of Three Fires, Bedford; and Honey Creek State Park, Moravia. In 1989, Joe and Mary moved to Branson, Missouri upon Joe's retirement from the DNR. They moved back to Centerville in November of 2006.
Mary was a very devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her family was very special and treasured, by her. She loved to host family gatherings and spend times with loves ones. Mary was also a very devoted child of God and worked on many church projects and groups over the years. She had a passion for art, spending many of her years creating and teaching others with her special talent. Mary owned Paint N Primitives for many years in Centerville teaching a large array of painting and craft classes. Once Joe and Mary moved to Branson she continued to teach classes, owned and operated The Hummingbird's Nest Bed and Breakfast, as well as sharing her talent with endless visitors of Silver Dollar City creating specialized parasol and other souvenirs. Most recently Mary was working at The Shoe Tree, volunteering at New Hope Counseling Center, attending and decorating the First Baptist Church, and enjoying time with her Bridge friends. She was always a gracious hostess opening her home to any and all that stopped in for a visit.
She is survived by her husband of sixty three years Joe Murphy of Centerville; three children, Pamela (Gary) Messersmith of Centerville, Michael (Sherry) Murphy of Centerville, and Patric (Margaret) Murphy of Des Moines, Iowa; eight grandchildren, Paula (Mark) Adams, Jason (Kelly) Murphy, Sean (Theresa) Murphy, Jesseca (Ron) DeVore, Jennifer (Brandon) Frampton, Sara Murphy, JT (Heather) Murphy, and Adam Messersmith; twelve great grandchildren, Franchesca DeVore, Madison Murphy, Jackson Adams, Dakota DeVore, Katie Murphy, Caleb Murphy, Karlie Murphy, Brenna Murphy, Zachary Murphy, Cora Frampton, Thomas Murphy, and William Frampton; one sister, Carol Jean Correll of Webster Grove, Missouri; and a multitude of other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and a brother-in-law R.J. (Jack) Correll.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held 10 AM, Tuesday, March 19, 2013 at the First Baptist Church in Centerville with Pastor Lloyd Johnston officiating. A fellowship gathering will immediately follow at the First Baptist Church. An inurnment will take place in the Iconium Cemetery at 3 PM. A visitation will be held on Monday, March 18, 2013 at Lange Funeral Home and Crematory from 10 AM-8 PM, with the family present from 6-8 PM. Memorials have been established to either the New Hope Counseling Center, the Iconium United Methodist Church, or the First Baptist Church and may be given to Lange Funeral Home and Crematory, 1900 S. 18th St., Centerville, Iowa, 52544. Condolences may be shared online at www.langefh.com.
Visitation
March 18, 2013 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Lange Funeral Home 1900 S. 18th St. Centerville, IA (641) 856-2000
Celebration of Life
March 19, 2013 10:00 AM
First Baptist Church 603 West State Centerville, IA
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